Thai air force receives initial batch of T-50 trainers

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has taken delivery of two initial Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50TH Golden Eagle lead-in fighter trainers (LIFT), following a delay caused by a requirement to replace the aircraft’s engines.

The aircraft were originally scheduled to be handed over to the RTAF on 11 January but during a ferry flight from South Korea their engines were damaged in turbulent weather, forcing a diversion to Malaysia and the Royal Malaysian Air Force Kuantan Airbase.

On accepting the two aircraft at the RTAF’s Wing Division 4 Takhli Airbase in Nakhon Sawan, RTAF Commander Air Chief Marshal Johm Rungswang confirmed on 25 January that the damaged engines were replaced by KAI.

ACM Johm said that the arrival of the T-50TH aircraft would enable the RTAF to reduce training costs and modernise the air force’s pilot trainer systems.

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